Efficacy of Lamium album as a natural fungicide: impact on seed germination, ergosterol, and mycotoxins in Fusarium culmorum-infected wheat seedlings

Fusarium culmorum is a major wheat pathogen, and its secondary metabolites
(mycotoxins) cause damage to plants, animals, and human health. In the era
of sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly methods of prevention and control
are constantly needed. The use of plant extracts as biocontrol agents has
gained popularity as they are a source of active substances that play a crucial
role in fighting against phytopathogens. This study evaluated the impact of
Lamium album on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. In a pot
experiment, the eect of L. album on wheat seedlings artificially inoculated
with F. culmorum was evaluated by measuring seedling growth parameters,
and by using chromatographic methods, ergosterol and mycotoxins levels were
analyzed. The results showed that the phytotoxic eect of L. album flower
extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth was concentration
dependent. The radicle length was also reduced compared to the control;
however, L. album did not significantly aect the dry weight of the radicle. A slight
phytotoxic eect on seed germination was observed, but antifungal eects on
artificially infected wheat seedlings were also confirmed with the reduction of
ergosterol level and mycotoxins accumulation in the roots and leaves after 21
days of inoculation. F. culmorum DNA was identified in the control samples only.
Overall, this study is a successful in planta study showing L. album flower extract
protection of wheat against the pathogen responsible for Fusarium crown and
root rot. Further research is essential to study the eects of L. album extracts on
key regulatory genes for mycotoxin biosynthetic pat